Having sleepless nights over going bald? It’s common for misters to worry about going bald. Estimates show about two-thirds of men start losing their hair by their mid-30s. Some embrace this change gracefully and shave their heads — and then there are others who try to go for treatments and therapy. While there’s no magic potion or assured cure for hair re-growth, these seven ways to slow hair loss down might do the trick for you:

  • Minoxidil or Rogaine

Rogaine is an FDA approved medication that helps in increasing blood flow and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the scalp. It cannot restore the hair you lost already, but it can prevent further loss. Liquid Rogaine can be rubbed on your scalp in the morning and again at night. Instead of using the oral medication finasteride (the other FDA-approved drug, sold as Propecia), minoxidil doesn’t cause any erectile dysfunction or decreased libido.

  • Workout and relaxation techniques

Yes, you need to pump some blood and relax. So alternating this technique is important — just think of doing a good workout and then relaxing post it. Stress is a primary cause of hair loss. And exercising helps combat it. Exercising of any kind -- like weight lifting, strength training, cardio, etc. helps to reduce stress level. Anxiety leads to increased hormone cortisol that makes the hormones fluctuate, and exercising helps in combating the same.

Similarly, meditative techniques like deep breathing, yoga, etc. help to reduce cortisol and fight stress. A 2015 study in PLOS One revealed that older men with a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness release 42 percent less cortisol throughout the day than unfit men.

  • Laser treatments

The FDA approves laser devices and treatments. It uses low levels of lights, which are basically like wands or helmets. They are priced at about $200 to nearly $900 and should be worn for about 25 minutes every other day. In 2014, the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology published a study, which revealed that men who zapped their scalps three times a week saw an increase in hair density after 26 weeks.

  • Ketoconazole shampoo

Opt for a shampoo that contains at least 1 percent ketoconazole. This includes bands like Nizoral. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the 2 percent version. Research reveals that ketoconazole is an anti-androgen and blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that shrinks hair follicles.

  • Vitamin D

As per the British Journal of Dermatology, people suffering from alopecia areata —an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss — were three times more likely to be D deficient. So make sure you have a diet rich in Vitamin D by having more of swordfish, salmon, tuna, milk, and orange juice. However, too much sun-bathing (helps the body make Vitamin D) will cause hair loss worse — so avoid that.

  • Corticosteroid treatments

In a few cases, inflammation from medical conditions like autoimmune disorders causes loss of hair. Corticosteroid medications are injected into the scalp for preventing the inflammation. As per the American Academy of Dermatology, this can help stimulate new hair growth.

  • Diet changes

Opt for an iron-rich diet. The deficiency of iron is a primary cause of hair loss. The National Institute of Health recommends shrimp and eggs, and leafy greens for preventing hair loss.

 

So go ahead and retain the glory of your shiny, bouncy mane.

Medically reviewed by Rishabh Verma, RP

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